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Frost Dates in Vermont
First and last frost dates across Vermont, computed from 14 NOAA weather stations (1991–2020 climate normals). Your exact date depends on your city and microclimate — use the ZIP lookup on the main tool for a station-specific answer.
Last spring frost
May 16
statewide median · range Apr 29–May 30
First fall frost
Sep 30
statewide median · range Sep 16–Oct 15
Growing season
137 days
median · range 109–169
Stations used
14
NOAA 1991–2020 normals
Frost dates by city
Median dates from the nearest NOAA station to each city. The "cautious" date is the 10% spring value — planting after it means only a ~10% chance of a later frost.
| City | Nearest station | Last spring frost | First fall frost | Growing season | Safe transplant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | Burlington Intl Ap · 3 mi | Apr 29 (cautious: May 11) | Oct 15 | 169 days | May 13 |
| Montpelier | Montpelier Ap · 4 mi | May 16 (cautious: May 30) | Sep 29 | 136 days | May 30 |
| Rutland | Rutland · 1 mi | May 15 (cautious: May 31) | Sep 27 | 132 days | May 29 |
How frost varies across Vermont
Spring frost timing spans about 31 days across the state. Burlington in Vermont typically sees its last spring frost around April 29, while E Haven in Vermont doesn't clear frost until about May 30. Within any city, low spots and valleys run colder than the station average; areas near buildings and pavement run warmer.
When to plant in Vermont
As a rule of thumb, cool-season crops (lettuce, peas, spinach) can go in 2–4 weeks before your last spring frost; warm-season transplants (tomatoes, peppers) should wait about 2 weeks after it — around May 30 for the statewide median. Check your city's row above rather than the statewide median: a 31-day statewide spread makes the city-level date the one that matters.
These are climate normals (what's typical), not forecasts. For the current year, watch the 10-day forecast around your planting date.
How this is computed
Statewide medians are the median of the 14 NOAA stations' median frost dates — half the stations run earlier, half later. City rows use the nearest station with 30-year freeze records. Dates are 32°F freeze probabilities from NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals; nothing is estimated or interpolated.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost date in Vermont?
The statewide median last spring frost is May 16, but it ranges from April 29 to May 30 depending on where in the state you are. Use your city's row in the table above, or the ZIP lookup on the main tool, for a station-specific date.
When can I plant tomatoes outside in Vermont?
Warm-season transplants like tomatoes should wait about two weeks after your last spring frost — around May 30 for the statewide median. Your city may differ by weeks; check the "safe transplant" column in the city table.
How long is the growing season in Vermont?
The median growing season across 14 NOAA stations is 137 days, ranging from 109 to 169 days by location.
Why do frost dates vary so much within Vermont?
Frost timing follows latitude, elevation, and local terrain. Across Vermont, last spring frost dates span about 31 days — from around April 29 near Burlington to May 30 near E Haven. Microclimates (low spots, valleys, urban heat) shift dates further at the garden level.
Where does this data come from?
All frost dates are computed from the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals freeze data (public domain), using each station's 32°F freeze probability statistics. No dates are estimated or interpolated.